A to Z Challenge Survivor

Wisholute or Chaos?

This is my first post of 2015 and my first Insecure Writer’s Support Group post of the year. Before I tackle the resolution chestnut, I have to introduce myself. Guess I need to update my About Me page… at some point.

Until the MonSter called multiple sclerosis swiped me down, I was a freelance equestrian journalist, and photographer. I was diagnosed with MS in January 2000 and by 2005 I retired, unable to meet any deadlines. My second wife, Juanita is now my understanding and put-upon carer, and we live in Harlech, North Wales, with a brilliant view of Snowdon.

When the MS is behaving, and my pain is calm, I write fiction. My first novel, ‘Spiral of Hooves’ was published in December 2013, and I have various projects on the go.

First Snow on Snowdon ~ Juanita Clarke

So why ‘wisholute’?

My writer friend Ailsa Abraham coined this clever word as an alternative to ‘resolution’. Don’t we all manage to fulfil just a fraction of our resolutions? In many cases, they are closer to ‘wishes’ driven by intent of some sort. Great for Insecure writers like me. So I don’t make them – well not often.

My simple ‘wisholute’ was “Find a Brit publisher and finish one tale…” by which I meant, my US publisher is great for my equestrian series, but being in the UK I would like to find a similar Brit publisher. And my insecurity kicks in when it comes to my next publishing step.

Do I chance that my ‘Gossamer Flames’ saga is worthy of beta readers? Are there any out there that will want to read it?

Should I focus instead on revising ‘Fates Maelstrom’ and re-locating it in North Wales?

Do I suppress the urge to write yet another first draft to put in the bottom oven to simmer?

Well, I’m taking part in the 100k in 100 days Challenge and have a loose strategy of edit-create-revise: on the days when I need to Blog/vent/rant etc I do; on the days when I get inspired to review one of the books I managed to read in 2014, I do; when I get the urge to bring new characters alive in ‘Seeking A Knife’, I do; and I intend to make those short stories ready for the brave beta readers out there, wherever.

And for my reading I am multi-tasking too – I have three books on the go, and just acquired one set locally, to get my head ready for that revision I mentioned.

Trouble is, that insecurity might be feeding the multi-tasking. Should that be chaos? Not if we are creating words and worlds for valued readers. As IWSG says, “Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!”

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Please visit others in the group and connect with the awesome writers out there. Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

It’s thanks to my wife and to my friends that I keep going, so thanks. Also the new release is rather dependent on (a) my decision on what is really ready for the world; (b) finding right way to get ‘whatever’ published – not very good at submissions.

I would be very impress if you are able to multi task like that. I work on one stage of a project at a time, I can’t think on multiple projects at one time. Good luck and if in the end you get them all complete, how you get their doesn’t matter.

Thanks for the return visit, Sittie. Suspect you are right about the focus – I’m already tending to just switch back and forth between the shorts saga and the new novel. Too much editing is tough – not an editor. All the best for 2015.

Thanks Shannon for the wishes of luck. Kept saying I needed mountains before we moved. Was thinking Canada, where I went to college. But Snowdon is just perfect – and we have a castle just below us.. and the sea.

Think that I need to use the positive feeling you’re all encouraging, now that I’m out of my pre-Xmas Slough of Despond. Never know when MS is going to turn on me again. Best way is a ‘step’ or a word at a time. Thanks, Chrys.

I am sorry about your MS, I have a few friends who live with it. An Empowered Spirit is a great blog.
What a lovely, inspiring photo.
I learned last year that I can only focus full attention on one book at a time. I hated to admit that but my writing improved greatly once I did.
Happy New Year!

Will check out that blog – http://empoweredspirit.com/ – as might well help. Thanks Doreen. Know what you mean about focusing on one book at a time. Normally do that, but now find that the change feeds my enthusiasm.

Thanks Loni. 100 days started on Jan 1st and runs to April 10. I’ve written 7300 so far but I’m 4700 behind. Been focusing on mainly outlining and editing. In fact the multi-tasking has come down to concentrating on Gossamer Flames shorts, until they are ready. Then it will be catch up in the Challenge.